Clasp.



T. C. SPELLING.

CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9, 1915.

Patented May 2, 1916.

LWLWE.

THOMAS C. SPELLING, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

cLAsP.

menses.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 9, 1915. Serial No. 49,657.

To allwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS C. SPELLING, a citizen of the United States, and resident of New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in clasps combining use and ornament which though primarily designed for particular uses is, as will appear to persons skilled in the art, capable of diverse uses.

A fundamental characteristic of the invention is the provision of a fastener or confiner for neckties of the fourin-hand 'or hanger variety which can be placed either on the streamers below the knot or on the knot itself without in either case penetrat ing or mutilating to any extent whatever the fabric or cloth of the garment; and its main purpose is the provision of a better means for holding the parts together, and preventing the sagging and flattening of the knot part, than are now in use, and the provision of an ornament more attractive, at the same time less liable to be lost or stolen. All this is done without sticking pins into, or otherwise injuring the property in connection with which it is to be used.

Speaking generally, it consists of a base member continuing on its immediate upper surface a suitably toothed projection for pressing outwardly a small transverse portion of the cloth, which said base member is firmly attached to a top member at one end and movably attachable thereto at the other, the top member being attached midway between the ends to a concave opposite and cooperating member, the latter fitting over and contacting with the portion of the cloth so pressed outwardly; All of which will be better understood by reference to the following specification and drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the basic member. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the top member. Fig. 3 is a side view of the completed device open and ready for emplacement, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a necktie of the four-in-hand or hanger variety with the clasp in place. Fig. 5 is a side view of the part connecting the two prongs of the top member as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, above designated as a concave opposite and cooperating member. Fig. 6 represents a modification of the device, and

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1 showing the slot. Fig. 8 is a modification having two adjustable prongs and one fixed central prong, which may be used on either of the above mentioned parts of the necktie.

Referring more specifically tothe drawings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views, the two bars A and B of Fig. 2 are evenly attached or joined to the base (Fig. 1) at C (Fig. 3) by having the ends of these bars attached to each other, and inserted in slotted portions C of the base to receive a pintle' extending through said base transversely. These bars curve slightly downward from end to end, and are designed to be of resilient metal. The bar A will pass through and be permanently fastened in the vertical part (Fig. '5), at E, and in the shield at F (Fig. 3),in which it terminates. Thebar B is designed to pass through and be confined vertically in a hole through the part repre sented by Fig. 5 at G, but not confined transversely. This bar also passes through the shield F and has a sliding movement therein. To prevent the end of the bar B from being misplaced from the shield F, the extension M beyond the shield may be bent to form an obstruction which will not pass through the opening in the shield F. It is obvious that if both bars were firmly fastened in the shield it would often be impossible to obtain even and uniform contact with and pressureupon the cloth or other material to be held and the same result would follow if the free transverse movement of bar B were not regulated and limited. Hence the provision for bending it near its free termi- Patented May 2, 19th.

nal point to meet the needs of each case. 7

That is to say, the end of the bar B is capable of sliding slightly back and forth, within proper limits, and thus accommodating itself to the action of the connecting parts in opening and closing the clasp. When the clasp is to be put in place, it will be secured at H (Fig. 4:) with a spring snap or other automatically acting means next to be particularly described.

At K in Fig. 1 is shown a slightly elongated slot or recess, the walls of which are undercut on both sides, as seen in the two parts N and .O of the section represented by Fig. 7. Just beyond the shield, the extension P is flattened to form an enlarged head of so rounding the shoulders is to establish a firm and reliable engagement beneath and against the sides and the upper shelves of the slot, constructed as aforesaid, notwithstanding the eifect of any increase of curvature of the upper member of the clasp to draw the said snap toward the opposite end of the base. It is obvious that the methods of fastening together the free ends of the base and bars ashere described is susceptible of various modifications.

When the clasp is to be put in place, the part of the necktie or other article to be clasped may be drawn sidewise within the twomembers, and the top member may be then pressed downward at H. By this act, the projections I (Fig. 1) will elevate a small portion of the fabric into the groove or concave of Fig. 5 at J and the same movement will cause the free ends of the clasp to unite and be firmly held together by the action of the parts, as above described. Some of the parts may be constructed of precious metals or other attractive substalnces and jewels may be set in them at wi l.

For the modified construction shown in Fig. 6, it is only necessary to increase the curvature of the resilient member of the device and change the means of connection as here shown. That form meets the need of those who wear clasps and ornaments over the point where the top or knot part joins the streamers.

V For ornamental effect, a shield, similar Copies of this patent may be obtained for in outline to that above described, but havmg no function other than ornamental, is

designed .to be placed on the base and over having the ends secured together, one of said bars being bent downwardly, said bent end being flattened to form a widened head, said base plate having a longitudinal slot formed therein, the side walls of said slot being undercut, said widened head being engageable in said slot, and said head having slidable engagement in said slot to accommodate variations in the dimension between the ends of said base plate and said bars, and sharpened projections formed on said base plate to engage in the fabric of a ti e. Signed at New York city in the county of New York and State of New York this 8th day of September A. D. 1915.

THOMAS C. SPELLING.

Witnesses CLARENCE KIMBALL, BERNARD ARON SON.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. 0. 

